
SรAMUS Flanagan is a serious injury doubt for Limerickโs Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final showdown with Clare at Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Sunday week (June 9).
Flanagan, who scored a memorable hat-trick against Cork, pulled up with a hamstring issue in the 10-point win by the holders over Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds.
In the words of his manager John Kiely โitโs highly unlikely that he will be involved in it (the final)โ.
โHe has to just go now and get his rehab done and thereโs no better team of people than the people we have with us to look after him.โ
Since his debut back in 2018, the 2021 All-Star has featured in over 70 matches with his county – during which he has scored a most satisfactory 12-103.
Flanaganโs surprise replacement was Shane OโBrien (Kilmallock), still a month shy of his 20th birthday.
On his Championship debut, OโBrien acquitted himself very well, knocking over three delightful points.
โHeโs been waiting a while to get an opportunity like that,โ acknowledged Kiely of a teenager that was involved with the county Under-20s over the last couple of months, and who โcame back into our group sharpโ.
If Flanagan isnโt available, OโBrien, Adam English, Conor Boylan, and Donnacha ร Dalaigh will come into the selectorial thoughts of Kiely, Paul Kinnerk, Donal OโGrady, Aonghus OโBrien, Alan Cunningham, and John Flavin.
Darragh OโDonovan, who hasnโt featured due to injury in the Championship so far, is unlikely to be on the starting blocks against The Banner.
In a progress report, Kiely suggested: โHe needs more time, more game time, more training. He’s in great form, heโs making great progress every day we are on the pitch. He had a great session again this (Sunday) morning, heโll do more next week. The most important thing is that he is fit and healthy and weโll get him ready. We wonโt play him until he is ready.โ